Powder supply device and rotary additive manufacturing device

The powder supply device with a cooling channel and heat shields addresses thermal instability in 3D printing by managing temperature, ensuring stable powder supply and fabrication consistency.

JP7852426B2Active Publication Date: 2026-04-28IHI CORP
View PDF 6 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
IHI CORP
Filing Date
2022-08-04
Publication Date
2026-04-28

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing 3D printing processes face challenges in maintaining device stability under high-temperature environments, leading to thermal deformation and disruptions in the fabrication process of three-dimensional objects.

Method used

A powder supply device with a housing unit containing a cylindrical roller and a gap-forming member, equipped with a cooling channel and heat shields to manage temperature and maintain the desired positional relationship between the roller and gap-forming member, thereby stabilizing the fabrication process.

Benefits of technology

The solution effectively suppresses thermal deformation, ensuring consistent powder supply and maintaining the desired positional relationship, thus stabilizing the 3D printing process.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure 0007852426000001
    Figure 0007852426000001
  • Figure 0007852426000002
    Figure 0007852426000002
  • Figure 0007852426000003
    Figure 0007852426000003
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To stabilize the process of molding treatment for a three-dimensional molded object.SOLUTION: A powder feed apparatus 5 comprises: a housing body 52; a roller 53 with a cylindrical shape which is arranged at the inside of the housing body 52 and is rotatably connected to the housing body 52 at both ends; and a gas formation member 54 which is fixed to the housing body 52 at the inside of the housing body 52 and comprises a gas tip end 54a separated from a roller outer circumferential face 53a of the roller 53 by a prescribed distance. The housing body 52 comprises: the housing body 52 for storing the roller 53 and the gap formation member 54; and a cooling flow passage 58 which is thermally connected to the housing body 52 and through which a heat medium circulates.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a powder supply device and a rotary lamination molding device.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Documents 1 to 3 disclose technologies related to so-called three-dimensional molding devices.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a rotary lamination molding device. The rotary lamination molding device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a recoater for applying a material for a three-dimensional laminated molded object and a cooling head for cooling the recoater. When the temperature of the recoater reaches the allowable temperature, the recoater moves to the standby position and contacts the cooling head to be cooled. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the recoater from becoming higher than the allowable temperature due to radiant heat from the applied metal powder.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a rotary lamination molding device including a powder supply unit having a powder cartridge. The powder cartridge has a container body in which a powder material is accommodated, a heat insulating layer provided on the outer peripheral portion of the container body, and a heat insulating cooling layer provided outside the heat insulating layer and composed of a highly oriented graphite sheet. A second cooling portion is provided above the heat insulating cooling layer. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the temperature of the powder cartridge from rising due to radiant heat from the applied metal powder.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] The 3D printing process performed by a 3D printer involves melting metal powder. Therefore, the environment in which the 3D printing process takes place becomes high-temperature. The 3D printing process utilizes multiple devices with various roles; these devices are exposed to high temperatures. Even when exposed to high temperatures, it is desirable that the 3D printing equipment continues to perform its intended function, thereby stabilizing the 3D printing process.

[0007] The present invention provides a powder supply device and a rotary additive manufacturing device that can stabilize the process of fabrication for three-dimensional objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A powder supply device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a housing unit, a cylindrical roller disposed inside the housing unit and rotatably connected at both ends to the housing unit, and a gap-forming member fixed to the housing unit inside the housing unit and including a tip edge spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the roller. The housing unit has a housing portion that houses the roller and the gap-forming member, and a cooling channel portion that is thermally connected to the housing portion and through which a heat transfer medium flows.

[0009] The housing unit of this powder supply device has a cooling channel section. The cooling channel section is thermally connected to the housing unit. As a result, the heat supplied to the housing unit from the environment in which the powder supply device is located is discharged from the housing unit by a heat transfer medium flowing through the cooling channel section. Therefore, the temperature rise of the housing unit is suppressed, and thus thermal deformation of the housing unit caused by the temperature rise is also suppressed. This makes it possible to maintain the desired positional relationship between the roller, which is rotatably connected to the housing unit, and the gap-forming member, which is fixed to the housing unit. As a result, the amount of powder passing between the leading edge of the gap-forming member and the roller is maintained in the desired manner, thereby stabilizing the fabrication process for three-dimensional objects.

[0010] The housing portion of the powder supply device described above has a pair of bearings to which both ends of the roller are rotatably connected, and the cooling channel portion may include a bearing channel portion arranged around the bearings. With this configuration, the relative position of the roller with respect to the housing portion can be suitably maintained.

[0011] The housing portion of the powder supply device described above has an outer housing surface facing outward, and the housing unit may further have a heat shield portion that covers the outer housing surface and blocks heat input to the housing portion due to radiation. With this configuration, heat input to the housing portion due to radiation can be blocked.

[0012] The housing portion of the powder supply device described above has a pair of bearings to which both ends of the roller are rotatably connected, the outer surface of the housing includes a housing bearing arrangement surface on which the bearings are provided, and the heat shield portion may include an arrangement surface heat shield plate that covers the housing bearing arrangement surface. This configuration also allows for the appropriate maintenance of the relative position of the roller with respect to the housing portion.

[0013] The outer surface of the housing of the powder supply device described above includes a housing bottom surface provided with powder discharge holes that guide the powder that has fallen from the rollers to the outside of the housing, and the heat shield may include a bottom heat shield plate that covers the housing bottom surface. With this configuration, radiant heat incident toward the housing bottom surface can be effectively blocked.

[0014] The bottom heat shield of the powder supply device described above may include a portion that covers the bottom of the housing and a portion that does not cover the bottom of the housing. With this configuration, the portion that covers the bottom of the housing can effectively block radiant heat incident toward the bottom of the housing. Furthermore, the portion that does not cover the bottom of the housing forms a shadow on the side of the housing. Therefore, the portion that does not cover the bottom of the housing can effectively block radiant heat incident toward the side of the housing.

[0015] Another embodiment of the present invention is a rotary additive manufacturing apparatus comprising: a table that rotates about a rotation axis while supporting at least powder for a molded object; a powder supply unit that supplies powder to the table; and an irradiation unit that irradiates the powder supplied to the table with an energy beam. The powder supply unit comprises a housing unit; a cylindrical roller disposed inside the housing unit and rotatably connected at both ends to the housing unit; and a gap-forming member fixed to the housing unit inside the housing unit and including a tip edge spaced a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the roller. The housing unit comprises a housing portion that houses the roller and the gap-forming member, and a cooling channel portion that is thermally connected to the housing portion and through which a heat transfer medium flows. The housing portion includes a housing bottom surface provided with a powder discharge hole that guides powder that has fallen from the roller to the outside of the housing portion. The cooling channel portion includes a heat transfer medium inlet that receives the heat transfer medium and a heat transfer medium outlet that discharges the heat transfer medium. The distance from the housing bottom surface to the heat transfer medium inlet is shorter than the distance from the housing bottom surface to the heat transfer medium outlet.

[0016] This rotary lamination forming apparatus has a powder supply section having the same configuration as the above-described powder supply apparatus. Therefore, since the amount of powder passing between the tip edge of the gap adjustment section and the roller is maintained in a desired manner, the process of the forming treatment for the three-dimensional formed object can be stabilized. Moreover, the distance from the bottom surface of the housing to the heat medium inlet is shorter than the distance from the bottom surface of the housing to the heat medium outlet. That is, the heat medium is supplied to the cooling flow path section from the bottom surface side of the housing. As a result, since it becomes possible to supply a fresh heat medium to the bottom surface side of the housing which is likely to receive radiant heat, the heat entering the housing section can be discharged more efficiently.

Effects of the Invention

[0017] The powder supply apparatus and the rotary lamination forming apparatus of the present invention can stabilize the process of the forming treatment for the three-dimensional formed object.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary lamination forming apparatus of the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the table. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the powder supply apparatus and the powder coating apparatus. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the powder supply apparatus shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the powder supply apparatus shown in FIG. 3 as viewed from above. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the powder coating apparatus shown in FIG. 3. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the operation and effect of the powder supply apparatus. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the internal structure of the housing body. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary lamination forming apparatus of the modified example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] <First Embodiment> The form of the three-dimensional molding apparatus of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted.

[0020] The rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1 shown in Figure 1 manufactures a molded object 101S from powder 101. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1. The powder 101 is a metal powder. For example, the powder 101 may be titanium-based metal powder, Inconel powder, aluminum powder, etc. The powder 101 is not limited to metal powder. The powder 101 may also be a powder containing carbon fibers and resin, such as CFRP (Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics). The powder 101 may also be other conductive powders. Note that the powder used in the rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1 is not limited to conductive materials. For example, when a laser is used as the energy beam, the powder material does not need to be conductive.

[0021] The rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1 comprises a chamber unit 2, a table unit 3, a molding tank 4, a powder supply device 5 (powder supply device, powder supply section), a powder coating device 6, a preheating device 7, an irradiation device 8 (irradiation section), a control device 9, and a support shaft 10.

[0022] The chamber unit 2 forms the build space. The chamber unit 2 includes a chamber housing 21, a plurality of chamber columns 22, and a chamber frame 23.

[0023] The chamber housing 21 forms the build space. The chamber housing 21 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The inside of the chamber housing 21 is in a vacuum state by exhausting through an exhaust pipe (not shown). A housing opening 21a is provided on the bottom surface of the chamber housing 21. The housing opening 21a has a circular shape. A protective cylinder 33, which will be described later, is inserted into the housing opening 21a. The chamber columns 22 support the chamber housing 21. The chamber columns 22 have a cylindrical shape. The chamber columns 22 extend vertically from the floor and support each corner of the bottom surface of the chamber housing 21. There are four chamber columns 22. The chamber frame 23 supports the table drive device 34, which will be described later. The chamber frame 23 has a rectangular shape. Each corner of the chamber frame 23 is supported by the chamber columns 22.

[0024] The table unit 3 rotates about a rotation axis while supporting at least the powder 101 for the molded object 101S. The table unit 3 includes a table plate 31, a table support column 32, a protective cylinder 33, and a table drive device 34.

[0025] The table plate 31 supports the powder 101. During the process of manufacturing the object 101S using the powder 101, the table plate 31 also supports the object 101S. The table plate 31 has a disc shape. The table plate 31 is located inside the molding tank 4, which will be described later.

[0026] The table support column 32 supports the table plate 31. The table support column 32 has a cylindrical shape. The diameter of the cross-section of the table support column 32 intersecting the axial direction is smaller than the diameter of the table plate 31. The table support column 32 is connected to the table plate 31. Viewed from the axial direction of the table support column 32, the central axis of the table support column 32 coincides with the center of the table plate 31. The table support column 32 extends perpendicularly downward in the Z direction from the table plate 31. The table support column 32 extends perpendicularly upward in the Z direction from the upper surface of the table drive unit 34. The table support column 32 is fitted into the tank opening 4a, which will be described later.

[0027] The protective tube 33 covers the table support column 32. The protective tube 33 has a cylindrical shape. When viewed from the axial direction of the protective tube 33, the central axis of the protective tube 33 coincides with the central axis of the table support column 32. A gap is provided between the protective tube 33 and the table support column 32. The upper end of the protective tube 33 is connected to the bottom surface of the build tank 4.

[0028] The table drive unit 34 rotates the table plate 31. The table drive unit 34 rotates the table plate 31 by rotating the table support column 32. Furthermore, the table drive unit 34 moves the table plate 31 in the Z direction. Viewed from the axial direction of the table drive unit 34, the central axis of the table drive unit 34 coincides with the central axis of the table support column 32. The table drive unit 34 is supported by the chamber frame 23.

[0029] The build tank 4 houses the molded object 101S. The build tank 4 has a cylindrical shape. The build tank 4 is located inside the chamber housing 21. A tank opening 4a is provided on the bottom surface of the build tank 4. The tank opening 4a has a circular shape.

[0030] The powder supply device 5 supplies powder 101 to the table unit 3. The powder supply device 5 is positioned above the table unit 3 in the Z direction, spaced apart from the table unit 3. A detailed description of the powder supply device 5 will be given later.

[0031] The powder coating device 6 levels the powder 101 supplied to the table unit 3. Specifically, the powder coating device 6 regulates the height of the powder 101 applied to the table unit 3 in the Z direction. In this embodiment, "coating" may be defined in a narrow sense as the operation of leveling the powder 101 by the powder coating device 6. In a broader sense, "coating" may be defined as both the operation of supplying the powder 101 by the powder supply device 5 and the operation of leveling the powder 101 by the powder coating device 6. A detailed description of the powder coating device 6 will be given later.

[0032] The preheating device 7 heats the powder 101 applied to the table unit 3. The preheating device 7 raises the temperature of the powder 101 by radiant heat. The preheating device 7 raises the temperature of the powder 101 to a predetermined preheating temperature. The preheating device 7 and the powder coating device 6 are adjacent to each other. An infrared heater may be used as the preheating device 7, for example. A gas heater may be used as the preheating device 7, for example.

[0033] The irradiation device 8 irradiates the powder 101 supplied to the table plate 31 with an energy beam. By irradiating the powder 101 with the energy beam, the irradiation device 8 raises the temperature of the powder 101. The temperature of the powder 101 raised by the irradiation device 8 is the temperature at which a molded object 101S can be formed. The temperature at which a molded object 101S can be formed is the sintering temperature or the melting temperature. The sintering temperature and melting temperature are higher than the preheating temperature. The irradiation device 8 is located on the upper surface of the chamber housing 21. Part of the irradiation device 8 is housed inside the chamber housing 21, while the other parts of the irradiation device 8, excluding the aforementioned part, are exposed outside the chamber housing 21. An example of the part of the irradiation device 8 housed inside the chamber housing 21 is the energy beam outlet.

[0034] The control device 9 is a device that controls each functional part of the rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1. The control device 9 controls the table drive device 34, the powder supply device 5, the preheating device 7, and the irradiation device 8. The control device 9 controls the table drive device 34 according to the height of the formed object 101S, changing the height of the table plate 31. The control device 9 controls the table drive device 34 according to a specified rotation speed, maintaining a constant rotation speed of the table plate 31. The control device 9 controls the powder supply device 5 according to the amount of powder 101 required to form the formed object 101S, changing the amount of powder 101 applied by the powder supply device 5. The control device 9 controls the preheating device 7 according to the preheating temperature of the powder 101, changing the amount of heat that the preheating device 7 adds to the powder 101. The control device 9 controls the irradiation device 8 according to the sintering temperature or melting temperature of the powder 101, changing the output of the energy beam that the irradiation device 8 irradiates onto the powder 101.

[0035] Referring to Figure 2, the process by which the molded object 101S is formed by the powder 101 will be explained. Figure 2 is a plan view of the table plate 31. A supply area R1, a preheating area R2, and an irradiation area R3 are set on the table plate 31. The supply area R1 corresponds to the powder supply device 5 and the powder coating device 6. The preheating area R2 corresponds to the preheating device 7. The irradiation area R3 corresponds to the irradiation device 8. Therefore, the supply area R1, the preheating area R2, and the irradiation area R3 are fixed areas. The table plate 31 rotates clockwise in a plan view by the table drive device 34. In the following explanation, the area that the powder 101 applied to the table plate 31 reaches earlier in time will be described as upstream, and the area that it reaches later in time will be described as downstream.

[0036] The supply area R1 is the area where the powder 101 is supplied and leveled. In a plan view of the table plate 31, the supply area R1 has a rectangular shape. First, the control device 9 controls the powder supply device 5, which supplies the required amount of powder 101 to the table plate 31. Then, the table plate 31 is rotated clockwise, and the applied powder 101 moves downstream. Then, the powder 101 is leveled by the powder coating device 6, which will be described later, and the height of the powder 101 in the Z direction is regulated.

[0037] The preheating region R2 is the region in which the temperature of the leveled powder 101 is raised to the preheating temperature. The preheating region R2 is located downstream of the supply region R1. The shape of the preheating region R2 may correspond to the shape of the preheating device 7. For example, if the shape of the preheating device 7 is fan-shaped, the preheating region R2 will be a part of a circle with the same center as the table plate 31 in a plan view of the table plate 31. The powder 101 leveled by the powder coating device 6 moves downstream. The powder 101 is then heated by the preheating device 7 in the preheating region R2. The control device 9 controls the table drive device 34 and the preheating device 7 so that the temperature of the powder 101 rises to the preheating temperature when the powder 101 has finished passing through the preheating region R2.

[0038] The irradiation region R3 is the region where the energy beam is irradiated onto the powder 101, which has been heated to a preheating temperature. The irradiation region R3 is located downstream of the preheating region R2. The powder 101, preheated by the preheating device 7, moves downstream. The preheated powder 101 then receives the energy beam from the irradiation device 8 in the irradiation region R3. The irradiation device 8 irradiates the energy beam so that it scans over a desired portion of the irradiation region R3. The control device 9 controls the table drive device 34 and the irradiation device 8 so that when the powder 101 has finished passing through the irradiation region R3, the temperature of the powder 101 rises to the sintering temperature or melting temperature.

[0039] The powder supply device 5 and the powder coating device 6 will be described in detail below.

[0040] <Support shaft> As shown in Figure 3, the powder supply device 5 and the powder coating device 6 are attached to the support shaft 10. The support shaft 10 is located, for example, near the outer edge of the table plate 31. The support shaft 10 has a support shaft body 11, a support shaft connecting pipe 12, and a support shaft bracket 13. The support shaft body 11 is a cylindrical member extending in the Z direction. The support shaft connecting pipe 12 is a member that connects the support shaft body 11 to the powder supply device 5. The support shaft bracket 13 is a member that connects the support shaft connecting pipe 12 to the powder coating device 6.

[0041] <Powder coating equipment> As shown in Figure 3, the powder supply device 5 includes a hopper 51, a housing body 52 (housing unit), a roller 53 (see Figure 4), a gap forming member 54 (see Figure 4), a heat shielding structure 55 (heat shielding part), and a radiation shield 56 (see Figure 4).

[0042] <Hopper> The hopper 51 stores the powder 101. The hopper 51 then supplies the powder 101 to the housing body 52. ​​The hopper 51 is connected to the housing body 52. ​​The hopper 51 includes a hopper case 511, a hopper lid 512, a hopper frame 513 (see Figure 4), and a hopper flange 514.

[0043] The hopper case 511 stores the powder 101. The hopper case 511 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The size of the cross-section of the hopper case 511 when viewed from above is constant up to the middle of the hopper case 511 in the Z direction, and becomes smaller as it approaches the housing body 52. ​​In other words, the cross-sectional shape of the hopper case 511 is pentagonal.

[0044] The hopper lid 512 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The size of the hopper lid 512 when viewed from above is larger than the size of the hopper case 511 when viewed from above. Rectangular surfaces extend downwards in the Z direction from the outer edge of the hopper lid 512. There are four of these rectangular surfaces.

[0045] Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the powder supply device 5 on the virtual plane K shown in Figure 3. The virtual plane K is a plane perpendicular to the Y-axis. For the sake of explanation, Figure 4 shows the hopper 51 separated from the housing body 52. ​​In reality, the hopper 51 is fixed to the housing body 52. ​​Also, in Figure 4, a detailed illustration of the powder coating device 6 is omitted and it is shown in a simplified manner.

[0046] As shown in Figure 4, the hopper frame 513 is composed of two surfaces. The hopper frame 513 is formed by the intersection of these two surfaces, which are bent upwards in the Z direction. A hopper opening 513e is provided at the lower edge of the hopper frame 513. Of the powder 101 fed into the hopper case 511, the powder 101 that reaches the hopper opening 513e falls from the hopper opening 513e towards the bottom of the hopper case 511.

[0047] The hopper flange 514 is connected to the housing body 52. ​​The hopper flange 514 has a hopper flange bottom surface 514a that contacts the housing body 52. ​​The hopper flange 514 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The hopper flange 514 is connected to the lower part of the hopper case 511. The hopper flange 514 is provided with a hopper outlet 514f that penetrates in the Z direction. The upper end opening of the hopper outlet 514f is formed at the lower part of the hopper case 511. The lower end opening of the hopper outlet 514f is formed at the hopper flange bottom surface 514a. The powder 101 that reaches the bottom of the hopper case 511 falls into the hopper outlet 514f. Subsequently, the powder 101 falls toward the housing body 52.

[0048] The hopper flange 514 is provided with a hopper slit 514g. A hopper shutter 515 (see Figure 3) is inserted into the hopper slit 514g. The hopper shutter 515 is provided with multiple through holes. The hopper shutter 515 is movable along the axial direction of the roller 53. This movement allows switching between a configuration in which the through holes of the hopper shutter 515 overlap with the hopper outlet 514f and a configuration in which the through holes of the hopper shutter 515 do not overlap with the hopper outlet 514f. In the configuration in which the through holes of the hopper shutter 515 overlap with the hopper outlet 514f, powder 101 can be supplied to the housing body 52. ​​In the configuration in which the through holes of the hopper shutter 515 do not overlap with the hopper outlet 514f, the supply of powder 101 to the housing body 52 can be stopped.

[0049] <Housing Body> The housing body 52 temporarily stores the powder 101 supplied from the hopper 51. The housing body 52 houses the roller 53 and the gap forming member 54. The housing body 52 has a housing lid 521, a housing body 522, and a housing downstream wall 523.

[0050] The housing cover 521 covers the top of the roller 53. The housing cover 521 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The top surface 521a of the housing cover has a flat shape. The top surface 521a of the housing cover faces the bottom surface 514a of the hopper flange. The housing cover 521 is provided with a plurality of bolt holes. The bolt holes of the housing cover 521 are connected to the bolt holes provided in the hopper flange 514. Bolts are inserted into these bolt holes, and the ends of the bolts are screwed into the housing body 522. As a result, the hopper 51 is connected to the housing body 52.

[0051] A housing lid receiving port 521f is provided in the center of the housing lid 521, penetrating the housing lid 521 in the Z direction. When the housing lid 521 and the hopper flange 514 are connected, the hopper discharge port 514f and the housing lid receiving port 521f overlap when viewed from the Z direction. Therefore, the powder 101 falling from the hopper discharge port 514f enters the housing lid receiving port 521f.

[0052] A step is provided on the underside 521g of the housing lid. The underside 521g of the housing lid has a lower step adjacent to the housing lid receiving opening 521f, a middle step located slightly above the lower step in the Z direction and further from the housing lid receiving opening 521f than the lower step, and an upper step located slightly above the middle step in the Z direction and further from the housing lid receiving opening 521f than the lower and middle steps.

[0053] The housing body 522 receives the powder 101 falling from the housing lid receiving port 521f. The housing body 522 covers a portion of the roller 53. The housing body 522 has an L-shape. The upper surface 522u of the housing body has a stepped shape corresponding to the middle and upper sections of the underside of the housing lid 521g. When the housing body 522 and the housing lid 521 are connected, the upper surface 522u of the housing body and the underside of the housing lid 521g are in contact.

[0054] The housing body 522 has a housing filling section 52j. The housing filling section 52j stores the powder 101 that has fallen from the housing lid receiving inlet 521f. The housing filling section 52j is a region surrounded by the inner circumferential surface 522k of the housing body and the housing weir section 522m. The inner circumferential surface 522k of the housing body is parallel to the roller 53, which will be described later. That is, the inner circumferential surface 522k of the housing body has the shape of a part of a circle with a diameter larger than the diameter of the roller 53, centered on the rotation axis of the roller 53. The housing weir section 522m has an inclined surface facing the inner circumferential surface 522k of the housing body. The inclined surface extends in the tangential direction of the outer circumferential surface 53a of the roller 53.

[0055] The outer surface 520 of the housing has an upstream surface 522h of the housing body, a downstream surface 522i of the housing body, a housing bearing arrangement surface 522a (see Figure 5), a housing bearing arrangement surface 522b (see Figure 5), and a housing bottom surface 522n.

[0056] The housing body 522 has an upstream surface 522h. The distance from the rotation axis of the roller 53 to the upstream surface 522h of the housing body is longer than the distance from the rotation axis of the roller 53 to the downstream surface 522i of the housing body. The upstream surface 522h of the housing body is parallel to the rotation axis of the roller 53. The upstream surface 522h of the housing body has a rectangular shape.

[0057] The housing body 522 has a downstream surface 522i. The downstream surface 522i is located on the opposite side from the upstream surface 522h. The downstream surface 522i is the surface facing the gap forming member 54. The downstream surface 522i has a rectangular shape. The downstream surface 522i is the surface perpendicular to the rotation axis of the roller 53. When the housing body 522 and the housing lid 521 are connected, the downstream surface 522i is in contact with the end surface of the housing lid back surface 521g that connects the middle and lower sections.

[0058] The housing body 522 has a housing bearing mounting surface 522a and a housing bearing mounting surface 522b. The housing bearing mounting surface 522a is the surface facing outward from the tip bearing mounting portion 52A. The housing bearing mounting surface 522b is the surface facing outward from the base bearing mounting portion 52B.

[0059] The housing body 522 has a housing bottom surface 522n. The housing bottom surface 522n is a surface perpendicular to the Z direction. The housing bottom surface 522n has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The housing bottom surface 522n is the surface on which the powder discharge hole 527 is provided.

[0060] The powder discharge hole 527 guides the powder 101 that falls from the roller 53 to the outside of the housing body 52. ​​The powder discharge hole 527 is located on the bottom surface 522n of the housing.

[0061] As shown in Figure 5, the tip bearing arrangement portion 52A is a member on which the tip bearing 52y is arranged. The tip bearing arrangement portion 52A is located on the tip side of the housing body 52 (housing bearing arrangement surface 522a). The tip bearing 52y is a member on which a shaft protruding from the roller tip surface 53b of the roller 53 is rotatably connected. The tip bearing 52y is located inside the housing body 52. ​​The tip bearing 52y may also be located in an opening provided in the tip bearing arrangement portion 52A.

[0062] The base bearing arrangement section 52B is the component on which the base bearing 52z is arranged. The base bearing arrangement section 52B is located on the base end side of the housing body 52. ​​The base bearing 52z is located inside the housing body 52. ​​The base bearing 52z is a component to which a shaft protruding from the roller base end face 53c of the roller 53 (described later) is rotatably connected. The base bearing 52z is fitted into an opening provided in the base bearing arrangement section 52B.

[0063] As shown again in Figure 4, the downstream wall 523 of the housing is positioned to sandwich the roller 53 in cooperation with the housing body 522. The downstream wall 523 of the housing has a rectangular shape. The downstream wall 523 of the housing has an upper end surface 523n, a lower end surface 523r, a front surface 523p, and a rear surface 523s.

[0064] The upper end surface 523n of the downstream wall of the housing is in contact with the underside surface 521g of the housing lid. The lower part of the downstream wall 523 of the housing, including the lower end surface 523r of the downstream wall of the housing, faces the downstream surface 522i of the housing body. Between the lower part of the downstream wall 523 of the housing and the downstream surface 522i of the housing body, a powder discharge hole 527 is formed for guiding the powder 101. The front surface 523p of the downstream wall of the housing faces the roller 53. The rear surface 523s of the downstream wall of the housing is located on the opposite side from the front surface 523p of the downstream wall of the housing.

[0065] <Gap-forming member> The gap-forming member 54 is a component that defines the amount of powder 101 that the roller 53 conveys in a certain amount of time. The gap-forming member 54 is fixed inside the housing body 52. ​​The gap-forming member 54 extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53. The cross-section of the gap-forming member 54 that intersects with the rotation axis of the roller 53 has a trapezoidal shape.

[0066] The gap-forming member 54 has a gap tip edge 54a and a gap base end surface 54b. The gap tip edge 54a is the lower edge in the Z direction of the surface facing the downstream surface 522i of the housing body. The gap tip edge 54a is spaced a predetermined distance from the outer circumferential surface 53a of the roller.

[0067] The gap base end face 54b is the upper end face in the Z direction. The gap base end face 54b is in contact with the middle section of the housing lid surface 521g, on the side opposite to the side to which the housing body 522 is connected.

[0068] <Laura> As shown in Figure 5, the roller 53 is a component that conveys the powder 101 stored in the housing filling section 52j. The roller 53 is located inside the housing body 52. ​​The ends of the roller 53 are rotatably connected to the housing body 52. ​​The roller 53 has a cylindrical shape. The roller 53 extends along the axis of rotation (Y direction). The roller 53 has an outer circumferential surface 53a, a front end surface 53b, and a base end surface 53c.

[0069] The outer circumferential surface 53a of the roller is the surface that conveys the powder 101. When viewed from the axial direction of the roller 53, the outer circumferential surface 53a has a gear shape. Specifically, the outer circumferential surface 53a has an inner outer circumferential surface 53d and an outer outer circumferential surface 53e (see Figure 4). In the circumferential direction of the outer circumferential surface 53a, the inner outer circumferential surface 53d and the outer outer circumferential surface 53e are arranged alternately. The distance of the inner outer circumferential surface 53d from the axis of the roller 53 is smaller than the distance of the outer circumferential surface 53e from the axis of the roller 53.

[0070] The gear-shaped grooves on the outer surface 53a of the roller are provided to prevent the powder 101 from slipping. The powder supply device 5 adjusts the amount of powder 101 supplied by the size of the gap between the outer surface 53a of the roller and the gap forming member 54. Therefore, the gear-shaped grooves on the outer surface 53a of the roller are provided as needed and can be omitted. In other words, the outer surface 53a of the roller may have a circular shape when viewed from the axial direction of the roller 53. To put it another way, the outer surface 53e and inner surface 53d of the roller may not be provided.

[0071] The roller tip surface 53b and the roller base surface 53c intersect the rotation axis of the roller 53. The roller tip surface 53b is connected to the tip bearing 52y. The roller base surface 53c is connected to the base bearing 52z.

[0072] <Powder coating equipment> Figure 6 shows a cross-section of the powder coating apparatus 6 on the virtual plane K shown in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 6, the powder coating apparatus 6 has a blade holding bar 61, a coating blade 62, and a coating heat shield structure 63.

[0073] The blade holding bar 61 includes a blade holding member 611 and a blade holding member 612. The blade holding bar 61 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape. The coating blade 62 is held between the blade holding member 611 and the blade holding member 612. Furthermore, the base end of the blade holding bar 61 is fixed to the support shaft 10.

[0074] The coating blade 62 is a component that smooths the powder 101 applied to the table unit 3. The coating blade 62 has, for example, a rectangular plate shape perpendicular to the X-axis direction. The coating blade 62 has a blade tip 62a. The blade tip 62a is the part that comes into contact with the powder 101 when the powder coating device 6 smooths the powder 101. The blade tip 62a is the lower end of the coating blade 62.

[0075] Incidentally, since the powder 101 on the table plate 31 is irradiated with an energy beam, the powder 101 becomes hot. As shown in Figure 7, the heat from the powder 101 is emitted as radiant heat R. This radiant heat R reaches the powder supply device 5 and the powder coating device 6 which are located on top of the powder 101. Therefore, the powder supply device 5 is exposed to the radiant heat R emitted from the powder 101.

[0076] When the powder supply device 5 is subjected to radiant heat R, thermal deformation occurs in each component of the powder supply device 5. For example, since the housing body 52 includes the tip bearing arrangement section 52A, thermal deformation of the housing body 52 causes a displacement of the tip bearing arrangement section 52A. As a result, the position of the tip bearing 52y located in the tip bearing arrangement section 52A shifts. Consequently, the position of the roller 53 supported by the tip bearing 52y also shifts.

[0077] The distance from the roller 53 to the gap-forming member 54 affects the amount of powder 101 supplied, so this distance must be carefully controlled. For example, if the actual distance is greater than the distance set to achieve a certain supply amount, the supply amount will be excessive. Conversely, if the actual distance is smaller than the set distance, the supply amount will be insufficient.

[0078] The displacement of the roller 53 due to the thermal deformation described above directly affects the distance. Therefore, in order to obtain the desired supply amount from the powder supply device 5, it was necessary to suppress the displacement of the roller 53 due to radiant heat R.

[0079] Therefore, the powder supply device 5 is equipped with a heat shield structure 55, a radiation shield 56, and a cooling channel 58 as a configuration to reduce the influence of heat applied from the outside.

[0080] First, the heat shield structure 55 and the radiation shield 56 prevent heat from entering the powder supply device 5 by reflecting radiant heat R. It is difficult for the heat shield structure 55 and the radiation shield 56 to reflect all of the radiant heat R, and some of it enters the powder supply device 5 as shown by arrow D1. The cooling channel 58 discharges the heat that has entered the powder supply device 5 (arrow D1) to the outside of the powder supply device 5 (see arrow D2). Specifically, the cooling channel 58 discharges the incident heat (arrow D1) to the outside of the powder supply device 5 before it reaches the tip bearing arrangement section 52A (see arrow D2). The cooling channel 58, heat shield structure 55, and radiation shield 56 will be described in detail below.

[0081] <Heat-shielding structure> Refer to Figure 4 again. The heat shield structure 55 blocks the input of heat to the housing body 52 due to radiation. The heat shield structure 55 covers the outer surface of the housing body 52. ​​The heat shield structure 55 includes an upstream heat shield plate 551, a bottom heat shield plate 552, a downstream heat shield plate 553, a placement surface heat shield plate 554 (see Figure 5), and a downstream wall bottom heat shield plate 555.

[0082] The upstream heat shield 551 blocks heat input to the upstream surface 522h of the housing body caused by radiation through reflection. The upstream heat shield 551 is attached to and covers the upstream surface 522h of the housing body. The upstream heat shield 551 has a rectangular shape.

[0083] The bottom heat shield 552 blocks heat input to the housing bottom surface 522n due to radiation by reflection. The bottom heat shield 552 is attached to and covers the housing bottom surface 522n.

[0084] The downstream heat shield 553 blocks heat input to the rear surface 523s of the downstream wall of the housing caused by radiation through reflection. The downstream heat shield 553 is attached to and covers the rear surface 523s of the downstream wall of the housing. The upper end of the downstream heat shield 553 in the Z direction is in contact with the upper part of the back surface 521g of the housing lid.

[0085] The mounting surface heat shield 554 (see Figure 3) blocks heat input to the housing bearing mounting surface 522a due to radiation by reflection. The mounting surface heat shield 554 is connected to the housing bearing mounting surface 522a and covers the housing bearing mounting surface 522a.

[0086] The downstream wall bottom heat shield 555 blocks heat input to the lower end surface 523r of the housing's downstream wall due to radiation by reflection. The downstream wall bottom heat shield 555 is attached to the front surface 523p of the housing's downstream wall and covers the lower end surface 523r of the housing's downstream wall. The downstream wall bottom heat shield 555 has an L-shape when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53.

[0087] <Radiation Shielding> The radiation shield 56 blocks heat input to the area around the powder discharge hole 527 and to the roller 53 due to radiation. Specifically, the radiation shield slope 56a blocks heat radiated from the powder 101 applied to the table unit 3. The radiation shield 56 has a radiation shield slope 56a.

[0088] The radiation shield slope 56a extends along the rotation axis of the roller 53. The cross-section of the radiation shield slope 56a intersecting the rotation axis of the roller 53 has the shape of a sloped surface that moves away from the housing body 52 in the Z direction as it moves away from the housing body 522. The radiation shield slope 56a covers the powder discharge hole 527.

[0089] The upper surface 56a1 of the radiant shield slope 56a is the surface facing the powder discharge hole 527 in the Z direction. The upper surface 56a1 of the radiant shield slope 56a is the surface to which the powder 101 discharged from the roller 53 collides. The powder 101 collides with the upper surface 56a1 of the radiant shield slope 56a and slides in the direction of the slope of the upper surface 56a1 of the radiant shield slope 56a. The powder 101 that has slid down the upper surface 56a1 of the radiant shield slope 56a falls from the lower edge of the radiant shield slope 56a and is applied to the table unit 3. The lower surface 56a2 of the radiant shield slope 56a faces the table plate 31. In other words, the lower surface 56a2 of the radiant shield slope 56a faces the stacked powder 101.

[0090] <Cooling channel> As shown in Figure 8, the cooling channel 58 is provided inside the housing body 52 and is thermally connected to the housing body 52. ​​A heat transfer medium flows through the cooling channel 58. The cooling channel 58 has a side channel section 581, a side wall channel section 582, a pair of bearing channel sections 583, a pair of bearing channel sections 584, a heat transfer medium inlet 585, and a heat transfer medium outlet 586.

[0091] The side channel section 581 is located inside the housing body 522 (see Figure 4). The side channel section 581 is positioned between the upstream surface 522h and the inner circumferential surface 522k of the housing body (see Figure 4). The side channel section 581 extends in the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53. There are two side channel sections 581. The two side channel sections 581 are arranged in the Z direction. The cross-section of the side channel section 581 is rectangular.

[0092] The side wall channel sections 582 are located inside the downstream wall 523 of the housing. The side wall channel sections 582 extend in the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53. There are four side wall channel sections 582. These four side wall channel sections 582 are arranged in the Z direction. The cross-section of the side wall channel section 582 is rectangular.

[0093] The bearing channel section 583 is arranged around the tip bearing 52y. The bearing channel section 583 is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53, the bearing channel section 583 has a U-shape. There are two bearing channel sections 583. The two bearing channel sections 583 are arranged in the Z direction such that the open portions of their U-shapes face each other. The tip bearing 52y is located in the region surrounded by the two bearing channel sections 583.

[0094] The bearing channel section 584 is arranged around the base bearing 52z. The bearing channel section 584 is perpendicular to the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53. When viewed from the direction of the rotation axis of the roller 53, the bearing channel section 584 has a U-shape. There are two bearing channel sections 584. The two bearing channel sections 584 are arranged in the Z direction such that the open portions of their U-shapes face each other. The base bearing 52z is located in the region enclosed by the two bearing channel sections 584.

[0095] The heat transfer medium inlet 585 is connected to the cooling channel 58 and supplies the heat transfer medium toward the cooling channel 58. The heat transfer medium inlet 585 is located on the base end side of the upstream surface 522h of the housing body. The heat transfer medium outlet 586 is connected to the cooling channel 58 and discharges the heat transfer medium from the cooling channel 58. The heat transfer medium outlet 586 is located on the base end side of the upstream surface 522h of the housing body. The heat transfer medium inlet 585 and the heat transfer medium outlet 586 are arranged adjacent to each other in the Z direction. The distance from the housing bottom surface 522n to the heat transfer medium inlet 585 is shorter than the distance from the housing bottom surface 522n to the heat transfer medium outlet 586.

[0096] As shown again in Figure 6, the coating heat shield structure 63 is a component that shields the powder coating apparatus 6 from heat input due to radiation. The coating heat shield structure 63 has heat shield plates 631, 632, and 633. The heat shield plates 631, 632, and 633 have an L-shape. Heat shield plate 631 covers the blade holding bar 61. Heat shield plate 631 is the heat shield plate closest to the blade holding bar 61. Each of the heat shield plates 631, 632, and 633 has a coating heat shield upper surface and a coating heat shield upright surface.

[0097] Heat shield 632 covers heat shield 631. Heat shield 631 is positioned between heat shield 632 and the blade holding bar 61. Heat shield 633 covers heat shield 632. Heat shield 632 is positioned between heat shield 633 and heat shield 631.

[0098] The powder supply device 5 of such a rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1 has a cooling channel 58. The cooling channel 58 is provided inside the housing body 52 and is thermally connected to the housing body 52. ​​Here, the applied powder 101 is heated by a preheating device 7 and irradiated with an energy beam by an irradiation device 8. With the above configuration, the heat radiated from the applied powder 101 to the housing body 52 is discharged from the housing body 52 by a heat transfer medium flowing through the cooling channel 58. Therefore, the temperature rise of the housing body 52 is suppressed, and thermal deformation of the housing body 52 caused by the temperature rise is also suppressed. As a result, it becomes possible to maintain the relative positional relationship between the roller 53 and the gap forming member 54 in a desired state. As a result, the amount of powder 101 passing between the gap tip edge 54a of the gap forming member 54 and the roller 53 is maintained in a desired manner, so the process of the manufacturing process for the manufactured object 101S can be stabilized.

[0099] The housing body 52 has a front bearing 52y and a base bearing 52z to which both ends of the roller 53 are rotatably connected, and the cooling passage 58 includes a bearing passage section 583 arranged around the front bearing 52y and a bearing passage section 584 arranged around the base bearing 52z. This configuration allows for the favorable maintenance of the relative position of the roller 53 with respect to the housing body 52.

[0100] The housing body 52 has an outer housing surface 520, and the housing body 52 further has a heat shielding structure 55 that covers the outer housing surface 520 and blocks heat input to the housing body 52 due to radiation. With this configuration, heat input to the housing body 52 due to radiation can be blocked.

[0101] The outer surface 520 of the housing includes a housing bearing mounting surface 522a on which the tip bearing 52y is provided, and the heat shield structure 55 includes a mounting surface heat shield plate 554 that covers the housing bearing mounting surface 522a. This configuration also allows for the favorable maintenance of the relative position of the roller 53 with respect to the housing body 52.

[0102] The outer surface 520 of the housing includes a housing bottom surface 522n, which is provided with a powder discharge hole 527 that guides the powder 101 that falls from the roller 53 to the outside of the housing body 52, and the heat shielding structure 55 includes a bottom heat shield plate 552 that covers the housing bottom surface 522n. With this configuration, radiant heat incident toward the housing bottom surface 522n can be effectively blocked.

[0103] The cooling channel 58 includes a heat transfer medium inlet 585 for receiving the heat transfer medium and a heat transfer medium outlet 586 for discharging the heat transfer medium. The distance from the housing bottom surface 522n to the heat transfer medium inlet 585 is shorter than the distance from the housing bottom surface 522n to the heat transfer medium outlet 586. Therefore, the heat transfer medium is supplied to the cooling channel 58 from the housing bottom surface 522n side. As a result, it becomes possible to supply fresh heat transfer medium to the housing bottom surface 522n side, which is susceptible to radiant heat, thus enabling more efficient dissipation of heat that has entered the housing body 52.

[0104] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of this disclosure, as described below.

[0105] For example, the powder supply device may have a heat shield of a different shape from the bottom heat shield 552. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of a modified rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1A. Rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1A has a bottom heat shield 558 instead of a bottom heat shield 552. Rotary additive manufacturing apparatus 1A does not have an upstream heat shield 551. That is, the upstream surface 522h of the housing body is exposed to the internal region of the chamber housing 21.

[0106] The bottom heat shield 558 is perpendicular to the Z direction. The bottom heat shield 558 has a rectangular shape when viewed from the Z direction. The first end of the bottom heat shield 558 is located outside the upstream surface 522h of the housing body. Outside the upstream surface 522h of the housing body means the side that protrudes from the upstream surface 522h of the housing body along the X-axis direction. With respect to the upstream surface 522h of the housing body, the upstream surface 522h of the housing body is located between the first end 558a of the bottom heat shield 558 and the downstream heat shield 553. As a result, the bottom heat shield 558 has a portion C1 that covers the housing bottom surface 522n and a portion C2 that does not cover the housing bottom surface 522n.

[0107] In the modified example described above, the bottom heat shield 558 includes a portion C1 that covers the housing bottom surface 522n and a portion C2 that does not cover the housing bottom surface 522n. With this configuration, the portion C1 that covers the housing bottom surface 522n can effectively block the radiant heat R incident toward the housing bottom surface 522n. Furthermore, the portion C2 that does not cover the housing bottom surface 522n forms a shadow on the upstream surface 522h of the housing body. Therefore, the portion C2 that does not cover the housing bottom surface 522n can effectively block the radiant heat R incident toward the upstream surface 522h of the housing body.

[0108] For example, the cooling channel is not limited to a channel built into the housing body. For instance, the cooling channel may consist of a separate pipe component, which may be attached to the housing body.

[0109] The present invention will be described with reference to the following clauses. The present invention may also include any combination of the following clauses, even without a specific enumeration.

[0110] 1. Housing unit and, A cylindrical roller, positioned inside the housing unit and rotatably connected at both ends to the housing unit, The housing unit includes a gap-forming member that is fixed to the housing unit inside the housing unit and has a tip edge that is spaced a predetermined distance from the outer circumferential surface of the roller, The powder supply device comprises a housing unit having a housing portion for housing the roller and the gap forming member, and a cooling channel portion that is thermally connected to the housing portion and through which a heat transfer medium flows.

[0111] 2. The housing portion has a pair of bearings that rotatably connect both ends of the roller, The powder supply device according to Clause 1, wherein the cooling channel section includes a bearing channel section arranged around the bearing.

[0112] 3. The housing portion has an outer housing surface facing outwards, The powder supply device according to clause 1 or 2, wherein the housing unit further comprises a heat shield that covers the outer surface of the housing and blocks the input of heat to the housing due to radiation.

[0113] 4. The housing portion has a pair of bearings that rotatably connect both ends of the roller, The outer surface of the housing includes the housing bearing arrangement surface on which the bearing is provided. The powder supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 3, wherein the heat shield portion includes a heat shield plate covering the housing bearing arrangement surface.

[0114] 5. The outer surface of the housing includes the bottom surface of the housing, which is provided with a powder discharge hole that guides the powder that has fallen from the roller to the outside of the housing. The powder supply device according to any one of the clauses 1 to 4, wherein the heat shield portion includes a bottom heat shield plate that covers the bottom surface of the housing.

[0115] 6. The powder supply device according to any one of Clauses 1 to 5, wherein the bottom heat shield plate includes a portion that covers the bottom surface of the housing and a portion that does not cover the bottom surface of the housing. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0116] 1. Rotary additive manufacturing device 101 powder 101S Modeling 3 Table Units 5 Powder supply device (powder supply section) 8 Irradiation device (irradiation part) 52 Housing Body (Housing Unit) 52y Tip bearing (bearing) 52z Base end bearing (bearing) 53 Laura 53a Outer surface of the roller 54 Gap forming member 54a Gap tip edge 55 Heat-shielding structure (heat-shielding part) 58 Cooling channel (cooling channel section) 520 Housing exterior 522 Housing body (housing section) 522a Housing bearing arrangement surface 522b Housing bearing arrangement surface 522n Housing bottom 527 Powder discharge hole 552 Bottom heat shield 554 Heat shield for placement surface 583 Bearing flow path section 584 Bearing flow path section 585 Heat medium inlet 586 Heat medium outlet C1 Covering part C2 Uncovered portion

Claims

1. Housing unit and A cylindrical roller, positioned inside the housing unit and rotatably connected at both ends to the housing unit, The housing unit includes a gap-forming member that is fixed to the housing unit inside the housing unit and has a tip edge that is spaced a predetermined distance from the outer circumferential surface of the roller, The housing unit comprises a housing portion that houses the roller and the gap-forming member, and a cooling channel portion that is thermally connected to the housing portion and through which a heat transfer medium flows. The housing portion has a pair of bearings to which both ends of the roller are rotatably connected. The powder supply device includes a cooling channel section which includes a bearing channel section arranged around the bearing.

2. The housing portion has an outer housing surface facing outwards, The powder supply device according to claim 1, wherein the housing unit further comprises a heat shield that covers the outer surface of the housing and blocks the input of heat to the housing due to radiation.

3. The housing portion has a pair of bearings to which both ends of the roller are rotatably connected. The outer surface of the housing includes the housing bearing arrangement surface on which the bearing is provided. The powder supply device according to claim 2, wherein the heat shield portion includes a heat shield plate covering the housing bearing arrangement surface.

4. The outer surface of the housing includes a bottom surface of the housing which is provided with a powder discharge hole that guides the powder that has fallen from the roller to the outside of the housing. The powder supply device according to claim 2, wherein the heat shield portion includes a bottom heat shield plate that covers the bottom surface of the housing.

5. The powder supply device according to claim 4, wherein the bottom heat shield plate includes a portion that covers the bottom surface of the housing and a portion that does not cover the bottom surface of the housing.

6. A table that rotates about a rotation axis while supporting at least the powder for the object to be printed, A powder supply unit that supplies the aforementioned powder to the table, The system comprises an irradiation unit that irradiates the powder supplied to the table with an energy beam, The aforementioned powder supply unit is Housing unit and A cylindrical roller, positioned inside the housing unit and rotatably connected at both ends to the housing unit, The housing unit has a gap-forming member that is fixed to the housing unit inside the housing unit and includes a tip edge that is spaced a predetermined distance from the outer circumferential surface of the roller, The housing unit includes a housing portion that houses the roller and the gap-forming member, and a cooling channel portion that is thermally connected to the housing portion and through which a heat transfer medium flows. The housing portion includes a housing bottom surface provided with a powder discharge hole that guides the powder that has fallen from the roller to the outside of the housing portion. The cooling channel section includes a heat medium inlet for receiving the heat medium and a heat medium outlet for discharging the heat medium. A rotary additive manufacturing apparatus in which the distance from the bottom surface of the housing to the heat transfer medium inlet is shorter than the distance from the bottom surface of the housing to the heat transfer medium outlet.

Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Detecting method for number of output revolutions of hydrodynamic torque converter

    JP1987083554A

  • Three-dimensional lamination molding device

    JP2015193135A

  • Material-feeding device, injection molding device, and three-dimensional molding device

    JP2020157598A

  • Selective Powder Feed for Additive Manufacturing

    JP2020536768A

  • Method and system for controlling a cooling system in three-dimensional printing

    US20220080671A1